Manchester had hoped to be downgraded to Tier 2 in review into coronavirus restrictions; city stays in Tier 3, meaning Manchester United and Manchester City matches remain behind closed doors; relief for Liverpool as they stay in Tier 2; London already placed under Tier 3 restrictions
Friday 18 December 2020 06:48, UK
Manchester United and Manchester City are among a long list of clubs whose matches must remain behind closed doors after Manchester was kept under Tier 3 restrictions following a government review into the measures to tackle COVID-19.
It was hoped that Manchester, and other areas across the country that had been put into Tier 3 on December 2 after the second national lockdown ended, would be downgraded to Tier 2 as a result of falling COVID-19 infection rates in some regions.
Such a move would have meant United and City could welcome 2,000 fans back to Old Trafford and the Etihad respectively, with United having already taken applications from season ticket holders for their match against Leeds at Old Trafford on Sunday.
However, it was announced on Thursday that Manchester, as well as much of the rest of the country, will remain under Tier 3 restrictions, meaning matches will stay behind closed doors.
There was relief for Liverpool and Everton fans, however, as fans will still be able to attend matches as the city of Liverpool remained under Tier 2 restrictions. Anfield has hosted two Premier League matches with 2,000 fans present in the last two weeks.
Wider areas in the south east will join London in stricter Tier 3 restrictions, with the majority of other areas who had hoped to be downgraded to Tier 2 restrictions disappointed by Health Secretary Matt Hancock's announcement in the House of Commons on Thursday.
Brighton, Everton, Liverpool and Southampton are now the only Premier League teams who will be able to have fans in their stadiums. London clubs have rejoined others in the division, including City, United, Aston Villa, Newcastle, Leeds, Leicester and Wolves in being forced to play behind closed doors.
Up to a maximum of 2,000 supporters will be allowed back into stadiums in Tier 2 regions, as long as clubs continue to follow strict Covid-19 safety measures. Bristol City and Bristol Rovers are the only Football League clubs to benefit from moving up from Tier 3 to Tier 2 and thus are permitted to welcome fans back.
Berkshire will be moved into Tier 3 restrictions, meaning Ascot Racecourse are currently reviewing the attendance of spectators for the upcoming weekend meeting. Fans are not permitted in Tier 3 areas after midnight on Friday.
The King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day will now be held behind closed doors, after Surrey was moved into Tier 3.
Jockey Club says it knows racing fans will be disappointed: "However, we recognise we must all play our part in tackling this pandemic and look forward to welcoming racegoers back to our courses as soon as we're able to do so."
A total of NINE clubs from the top four divisions have been affected by Thursday's tier announcement:
Premier League: No changes
Championship: Reading, Luton and Wycombe all move from Tier 2 to Tier 3; Bristol City move from Tier 3 to Tier 2.
League One: Portsmouth, Peterborough, MK Dons all move from Tier 2 to Tier 3; Bristol Rovers move from Tier 3 to Tier 2.
League Two: Stevenage move from Tier 2 to Tier 3.
In terms of this weekend's fixtures, three games will now be played behind closed doors, having previously anticipated having fans:
What does the announcement mean for your club? Our list below shows which tier has been applied to which region throughout England.
Premier League
Arsenal - Tier 3
Aston Villa - Tier 3
Brighton - Tier 2
Burnley - Tier 3
Chelsea - Tier 3
Crystal Palace - Tier 3
Everton - Tier 2
Fulham - Tier 3
Leeds United - Tier 3
Leicester City - Tier 3
Liverpool - Tier 2
Manchester City - Tier 3
Manchester United - Tier 3
Newcastle - Tier 3
Sheffield United - Tier 3
Southampton - Tier 2
Tottenham - Tier 3
West Brom - Tier 3
West Ham United - Tier 3
Wolves - Tier 3
Championship
Barnsley - Tier 3
Birmingham City - Tier 3
Blackburn Rovers - Tier 3
Bournemouth - Tier 2
Brentford - Tier 3
Bristol City - Tier 2
Cardiff City - spectators are not permitted at any sporting events in Wales
Coventry City - Tier 3
Derby County - Tier 3
Huddersfield Town - Tier 3
Luton Town - Tier 3
Middlesbrough - Tier 3
Millwall - Tier 3
Norwich City - Tier 2
Nottingham Forest - Tier 3
Preston North End - Tier 3
Queens Park Rangers - Tier 3
Reading - Tier 3
Rotherham United - Tier 3
Sheffield Wednesday - Tier 3
Stoke City -Tier 3
Swansea City - spectators are not permitted at any sporting events in Wales
Watford - Tier 3
Wycombe Wanderers - Tier 3
League One
Accrington Stanley -Tier 3
AFC Wimbledon - Tier 3
Blackpool - Tier 3
Bristol Rovers - Tier 2
Burton Albion - Tier 3
Charlton - Tier 3
Crewe Alexandra - Tier 2
Doncaster Rovers - Tier 3
Fleetwood Town - Tier 3
Gillingham - Tier 3
Hull City - Tier 3
Ipswich Town - Tier 2
Lincoln City - Tier 3
MK Dons - Tier 3
Northampton Town - Tier 2
Oxford United - Tier 2
Peterborough United - Tier 3
Portsmouth - Tier 3
Plymouth Argyle - Tier 2
Rochdale - Tier 3
Shrewsbury Town - Tier 2
Sunderland - Tier 3
Swindon Town - Tier 2
Wigan Athletic - Tier 3
League Two
Barrow - Tier 2
Bolton Wanderers - Tier 3
Bradford - Tier 3
Cambridge United - Tier 2
Carlisle United - Tier 2
Cheltenham Town - Tier 2
Colchester United - Tier 2
Crawley Town - Tier 2
Exeter City - Tier 2
Forest Green Rovers - Tier 2
Grimsby Town - Tier 3
Harrogate Town - Tier 2
Leyton Orient - Tier 3
Mansfield Town - Tier 3
Morecambe - Tier 3
Newport County - spectators are not permitted at any sporting events in Wales
Oldham Athletic - Tier 3
Port Vale - Tier 3
Salford City - Tier 3
Scunthorpe United - Tier 3
Southend United - Tier 3
Stevenage - Tier 3
Tranmere Rovers - Tier 2
Walsall - Tier 3
Following the launch of Sky Worlds, the in-stadium thrill of live football matches is now available to all Sky VIP customers, offering them the chance to immerse themselves in a virtual experience from selected Premier League matches.
Sky Worlds allows Sky VIP customers to hop around the ground to watch the action from amazing new viewing positions, recreating the experience of attending games in the highest visual quality available in VR.
Available now on Oculus Quest headsets, Sky Worlds is a virtual reality sports viewing experience like no other, with Chelsea taking on West Ham on Monday, December 21, live on Sky Sports, following the first match VR match on Sunday, December 13, when Crystal Palace drew with Tottenham.
"Sky Worlds is a fantastic example of how technology can help replicate real-life experiences and create truly transformative viewing experiences, something that is so important right now given the limitations fans have attending live events in person," said Matt McCartney, Head of Immersive Technology at Sky.
"Our work with Sky is the culmination of four years of effort and testing," said Miheer Walavakar, co-founder and chief executive officer of LiveLike. "To do this with the leading broadcaster and top global league is affirming of our comprehensive, customizable unique immersive experience and viewing capabilities."
